Display and storage rack



April 21, 1936. P J. FlTZGERALD 2,037,891

DISPLAY AND STORAGE RACK Filed NOV. 15, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Gaze (M 55 W 19%. P. J. FITZGERALD 27937989? DIS PLAY AND STORAGE RACK Filed NOV. 15, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ifii' iii' ii n April 1936 P. J. FlfZGERALD 2 ,81

DISPLAY AND STORAGE RACK Filed Nov. 15, 1934 5 Sheets Shee 5 p P. J. FITZGERALD DISPLAY AND STORAGE RACK Filed NOV. 15, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M P. J. FITZGERALD DISPLAY AND STORAGE RACK Filed Nov. 13, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I l l "i iili Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY AND STORAGE RACK Application November 13, 1934, Serial No. 752,875

7 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in racks and more particularly to an improved rack or cabinet which is adapted to be used for storing and displaying articles.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved storage and display rack wherein the side walls thereof are shaped to provide means for supporting a plurality of sliding drawers or shelves and also for supporting a plurality of article holding display elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved storage and display rack having sheet metal sides which are bent to provide a series of horizontal internal channels for supporting shelves or drawers and to provide external ribs for supporting article holding display elements.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a rack of the type referred to, an improved construction of the shelves and display elements whereby they are adapted to be supported by the channel and rib portions formed in the side walls of the rack.

The invention still further aims to provide an 5 improved rack, of the type referred to, wherein the various structural parts are assembled in an extremely simple manner and wherein the assembled device is exceptionally strong and durable.

The above and other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of the assembled rack with parts removed.

3 Figure 2 is a fragmentary front view of the upper end of the rack.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side view of an upper corner of the rack shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side View of Fig. 3.

) Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the side wall of the rack with display elements in position thereon.

Figure 6 is a detail side elevation of one of the I shelves.

Figure 7' is a plan view of Fig. 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of Fig. 7.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary side view of a modified form of rack wherein a wooden frame is provided.

Figure 11 is a sectional side view of the rack shown in Fig. 10.

Figure 12 is a detail end view of one of the display elements.

The invention relates generally to a rack which is in the form of a skeleton cabinet and is particularly well adapted for use in displaying and storing articles such as, for example, gaskets or the like. The rack consists of a frame structure having side walls which are bent or otherwise shaped to provide internal channels and external ribs extending horizontally. Drawers or shelves are supported in the rack by means of suitably formed edges which fit within the channels formed in the side walls. Display elements in the form of hooks are provided with means whereby they may be supported on the ribs formed in the side walls of the rack. The construction of the rack and the Various parts thereof is such as to afford a maximum amount of strength with simplicity in design.

Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof in which is shown a side View of the rack which consists of two metal frames H] which are held in spaced parallel relationship by a plurality of wide and narrow braces ll, I2 respectively. Each frame has secured thereto a thin sheet metal side Wall l3 which is shaped to provide a series of horizontal ribs 14. Each frame consists of two horizontal T-irons l5, I6 and two vertical T-irons [1, I8, the ends of each of said irons being joined together. The face portions l5a, l6a, Ha, I8a of each of the T-irons are disposed in a plane which is parallel to the side wall l3. The web or rib portions -l-5b, I6b, l'lb, 18b extend inwardly. As shown in Figs. ,2, 3 and 4, the ends of the face portions lfia, l'la are out to fit together, the ends l5d and lid of the rib portions thereof being bent to lie adjacent each other so that they may be welded together. This corner construction is very strong and a neat fit between the T-irons is afforded. The two frames are held together ad- 'jacent the corners thereof by relatively wide braces 19 which are provided with offset hooked ends 20. The hooked ends 20 of the braces are fitted over an edge of the face portion of opposite T-irons. Screws 2|, or the like, passing through the braces and the adjacent rib portion of the T-irons are adapted to securely hold the same in place. Narrow braces 22 are similarly secured along the front and back of the rack at spaced intervals in order to strengthen the rack. The sheet metal side walls l3 are bent or otherwise shaped to provide a series of horizontal parallel channels 23 openings inwardly and externally directed ribs 24. The ribs 24 are fitted within recesses 25 formed on the web portions of the vertical T-irons. The side walls l3 are welded to the edges of the webs of the vertical T-irons.

The rack is adapted to support a plurality of shelves 26, the details of which are illustrated particularly in Figs, 6-9 of the accompanying drawings. The shelves are made of sheet metal which is bent or shaped to provide a series of reinforcing ribs 21 extending across the same. The edges of the reinforcing ribs are pressed to hold the metal, as indicated at 28, in order to provide a supporting surface 29 which is adapted to fit within the channels 23 in the side walls [3 so that the shelves may slide back and forth therein. The front end of the shelf is folded upon itself to provide a reinforced front wall 30 which may be slit to provide a handle portion or tag holder 3|.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and more in detail in Fig. 5, display elements are supported by the side wall of the rack. Each display element is in the form of a metal bracket having a horizontal portion 33 provided with a reinforcing rib 34. Each portion 34 has a hooked end 35 and angular depending bracing arms 36 at the opposite end thereof. An additional member 31 is welded to the upper face of the portion 33 in position to leave a space from the rear end thereof. The member 31 has an upstanding portion 38 which is bent upon itself, the extreme end 39 thereof extending away from the upstanding portion at an angle thereto. The end 39 of the member 31 and the rear edge 33a of the member 33 form a recess into which a rib 24 on the side wall l3 may fit so that the display element will be thus supported with the depending arm 36 thereof bearing against the side wall 13. The end 39 of the member 31 fits against the upper face of a rib 24 and may be flexed slightly to permit the positioning or removal of the display element.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that a novel rack is herewith provided wherein the shelves 26 may slide freely in the channels 23 formed in the side walls l3 of the rack and wherein the exterior of the channel walls form ribs 24 on which the display elements may be positioned. Thus, the articles contained in each shelf may be designated by a sample article which may be supported by two or more article supporting display elements on the outside of the rack or which may be hung from one display element, as in the case of gaskets. The rack thus serves as a display device and also as a storage compartment. An identification tag or price card 40 may be carried by the display elements by means of a tubular member 4| which may be placed over the, rebent portion of the arm 38.

It may be desirable, under certain circumstances, to place the display elements on the inside of the rack when certain of the shelves are not used or they may be placed in front of the shelves or just behind them. In this case the display element consists of a horizontal member 33b having a strengthening rib 34a and right angle depending arms 33 which fit against the inside of the wall l3. The member is also provided with a hooked end 3511. A member 31a is welded to the upper face of the member 331) and is provided with an upstanding arm 38a which is bent upon itself to provide a part on which the card holder 40a, 41a may be placed. The lower end of the rebent portion of the arm 38a is bent horizontally and is provided with an upturned end 39a, which affords an interfitting rib to pass into the channel 23 in the side wall 13 whereby to support the display element.

A slightly modified form of rack is shown in Figs. 10 and 11. In this instance, a wooden frame 42 is provided and the edges 43 of the side wall l3 are embedded in the wooden frame and sup ported thereby. The display elements may be employed and supported in the same manner as heretofore described.

The invention affords a novel display and storage rack which is of simple and inexpensive construction and which is, at the same time, strong and durable, Both the storage shelves and the display elements are supported by the same means on the side walls, thus further simplifying the device.

It is to be clearly understood that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a display and storage rack, the combination of two skeleton frames, each including T- irons having the ends of the ribs thereof welded tog-ether, braces having hooked ends engaging an edge of the face portions of opposite T-irons in each frame, and a sheet metal side wall member welded to each of said frames, said side wall member being shaped to provide a series of inwardly directed horizontal channels for the reception of shelves, the outer wall of each of said channels forming external ribs for supporting ari ticle holding display elements.

2. In a display and storage rack, the combination of a pair of rectangular frames, each consisting of T-irons having the ribs thereof extending inwardly and welded together at the ends thereof, a plurality of braces for holding said frames in spaced relationship, each brace having hooked ends engaging an edge of the face portion of opposite T-irons, the ribs of the vertical T-irons having a series of notches formed therein, a pair of sheet metal side wall members, one secured to each of said frames, said side wall members being shaped to provide a series of horizontal external ribs fitting in the notches in said T-irons, and article supporting display elements each having means for engaging said ribs whereby to hold said display element in proper position.

3. In a display and storage rack, the combination of a pair of skeleton frames, each of said frames including T-irons welded together at the ends thereof, braces having hooked ends engaging an edge of the face portions of opposite T-irons in each frame to hold said frames in spaced relation, and a sheet metal side wall welded to each of said frames, each of said side walls being shaped to provide means integral therewith for supporting display elements within and without said frames.

4. In a display and storage rack, the combination of a pair of skeleton frames, each of said frames including T-irons having the ends thereof welded together, braces having hooked ends engaging an edge of the face portions of opposite T-irons in each frame for holding said frames in spaced relation, a sheet metal side wall welded to each of said frames, said side wall being shaped to provide a series of externally disposed ribs integral therewith, and a plurality of article supporting display elements having means for engaging said ribs whereby said display elements are supported on the side walls without the frames.

5. In a display and storage rack, the combination of a pair of skeleton frames, each of said frames including T-irons having the ends thereof welded together, braces having hooked ends engaging an edge of the face portions of opposite T-irons in each frame for holding said frames in spaced relation, a sheet metal side wall welded to each of said frames, said side wall being shaped to provide a series of inwardly directed horizontal channels, and a plurality of shelves having flattened edge portions adapted to slide within said channels.

6. In a display and storage rack, the combination of a pair of skeleton frames including vertical members, means for securing said frames in spaced relation, said vertical members having recesses opening inwardly, a pair of sheet metal side walls one welded to each of said frames, said side Walls being shaped to provide a series of outwardly extending parallel ribs formed integral therewith, said ribs fitting within said recesses, and display elements having means for engaging said ribs and bearing against said side walls below the ribs whereby to support the display elements.

7. In a display and storage rack, the combination of a pair of skeleton frames including vertical members, means for securing said frames in spaced relation, said vertical members having recesses opening inwardly, a pair of sheet metal side walls one Welded to each of said frames, said side walls being shaped to provide a series of inwardly extending parallel channels, and outwardly extending ribs integral therewith, said ribs fitting within said recesses, and a plurality of shelves having transversely extending depending ribs, the extreme ends of said dependent ribs being flattened to permit the same to extend into said channels whereby to support the shelves for sliding movement with the frames.

PATRICK J. FITZGERALD. 

